The BJP won this seat for the first time in 1989, and despite a change of candidate managed to hold on in 1991. In 1996, sitting MP Kunjilal was defeated by the Congress's Usha Devi by 23,000 votes. The JD's Moti Lal, who came third, cornered 67,015 votes. In the past, Congressman R K Meena had represented this constituency twice, in 1980 and 1984.